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Important security information for US passengers.
| Airport and Transfers Information |
Brussels International Airport
Located 8 miles (13 Km) northeast of the city center. IATA and ACI (Airport Councils International) voted Brussels Airport as Best European Airport 2005 in March of 2006.
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Airport Train
The train station is located on the lower level of Brussels International Airport (1st floor). There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. The shuttle runs at least every 20 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5:30am - 12:20am from the airport and 4:45am - 11:10pm from the city. The cost is Euro 2,80 . Buy your ticket before getting on the train to avoid a surcharge fee. |
Airport Taxis
Taxi service from the airport to the city center is approximately 30 Euro. Taxis are available 24 hours. Discount round-trip rates are available. |
Group Transfers
Group transfers between Brussels Airport and Brussels city are offered by:
Modern Car
Belgian Travel House
Coach Companies
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Bus Transfers
In Brussels
In Antwerp
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Airport Services
Located in the Arrival Hall: Information/help desks, Money Exchange, Post Office, Duty Free Shops, Car Rental, Cafes/Restaurants, Beauty Shop, Business Center, Religious Services, Train Information & Reservation, Travel Agency, ATM and luggage lockers. |
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Located 1 hour from Brussels, mainly for charter flights going from Brussels to Greece, Tunisia, etc. |
Antwerp Airport
Located 1 hour from Brussels, flights to England, the Netherlands and Germany. |
| Area Codes & Calling |
Calling Belgium from the US
Dial 011 + Country Code 32 + City Code: |
| Antwerp |
3 |
Bruges |
50 |
Ghent |
9 |
Namur |
81 |
| Arlon |
63 |
Brussels |
2 |
Leuven |
16 |
Mechelen |
15 |
| Bastogne |
61 |
Dinant |
82 |
Liege |
4 |
Oostende |
59 |
| Bouillon |
61 |
Durbuy |
86 |
Mons |
65 |
Tournai |
69 |
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The Golden Pages
To find a business number in Belgium. |
The White Pages
To find a residence in Belgium. |
Calling from Belgium
The United States: Dial 00-1-(area code)-phone number.
When calling a Belgian number within Belgium always dial (0) + city code + number.
For international information call 1304. |
Pre-paid Calling Cards
The Belgacom Phone Pass can be used with private phones, pay phones and cellular phones. Belgacom Phone Pass as well as other calling cards are available in post offices, train stations, book stores, newspaper stands, supermarkets, convenience stores and Belgacom Teleboutiques. |
Public Phones
Take both coins and phone cards.
Public phone that display stickers showing flags of different countries can be used to make international calls with operator assistance. |
Call in Europe
European mobile service offering cell phones, SIM cards, and itemized statements. |
| Banking Hours |
| Banks are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch. |
| Clothing |
In summer bring lightweight, comfortable clothing, and a sweater or a jacket for the evening. During the winter bring warm clothes, and it is always a good idea to pack an umbrella and a rain coat.
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| Credit Cards & ATM |
| All major cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Eurcard) as well as Traveler's Checks. ATM machines are available in all major cities. |
ATM Machines - VISA
Click on the ATM Locator on Visa's Expo site to pinpoint the exact location of ATM machines in Belgian cities. |
| Currency |
| Today's € Exchange Rate |
EURO (Euro) €
Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 & 2 Euro, and 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 cent pieces. |
Foreign Exchange Offices
Many foreign exchange offices open on Sundays. Foreign exchange traffic is not regulated. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought in or out of the country. |
Direct FX
Foreign Exchange Services - foreign currency and travelers checks delivered right to your door. |
| Driving Information |
| A US driver's license is accepted if staying less then 90 days in the country. |
| Driving is done on the right-hand side of the road. |
| Speed limits: 31mph (50km/h) in the city, 56mph (90km/h) outside the city, and 75mph (120km/h) on 4-lane highways. |
| There are no tolls on Belgian highways. |
| Front and rear seat belts must be worn at all times. Children under 12 years of age are prohibited from sitting in the front seat. |
| Maximum blood alcohol level = 0.5g/l (1 glass of wine) |
Mappy.be
Maps and detailed driving information in Belgium. |
| Duty Free Allowance (Flying into Belgium) |
Check Allowances
Apply for US and Canadian citizens. |
In the airport shops, passengers traveling to a final destination outside the European Union can enjoy Tax Free prices for all products, including alcohol and tobacco products.
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| Rules to Leave Europe |
| Rules to Re-Enter US |
| Electricity |
| A.C. 220 volts - 50 cycles. Plugs are of the round 2-pin type. |
| Entry Requirements |
US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days. Other nationalities should check with the Belgian Embassy or nearest Consulate Office for visa requirements.
Schengen visa requirements and application forms are available on www.diplobel.us.
Application can be mail to the Consulate Office of your
jurisidiction, provided that the signature on the application form is notarized and that a prepaid self-addressed envelope is enclosed. Processing generally takes 3 to 5 days |
Belgium Embassy - US
3330 Garfield Street
N.W. Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 333-6900
Fax: (202) 333-3079 |
Belgium Embassy - Canada
360 Albert Street, Suite 820
Ottawa, ONT, K1R 7X7
Tel: (613) 236-7267
Fax: (613) 236-7882 |
| Consulate Offices in US |
Los Angeles
6100 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel: (323) 857-1244
Fax: (323) 936-2564 |
New York
1065 Avenue of the Americas
22nd Floor (entrance at 40th Street)
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212) 586-5110
Fax: (212) 582-9657
http://www.diplomatie.be/newyork/
newyork@diplobel.be |
| Consulate Offices in Canada |
Montreal
999 Blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3C8
Tel: (514) 849-7394
Fax: (514) 844-3170 |
Toronto
2 Bloor Street, West
Box 88, Toronto, ONT, M4W 3E2
Tel: (416) 944-1424
Fax: (416) 944-1421 |
The US Embassy
Located in Brussels. |
The Passport Services Office
The US Department of State provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport. |
| Language |
| There are three officially recognized languages: French and Dutch are the main languages; German is spoken by a small segment of the population and English is widely spoken. |
| Major Belgian City names in English, in French and in Dutch |
| English |
French |
Dutch |
English |
French |
Dutch |
| Antwerp |
Anvers |
Antwerpen |
Namur |
Namur |
Namen |
| Bruges |
Bruges |
Brugge |
Bastogne |
Bastogne |
Bastenaken |
| Brussels |
Bruxelles |
Brussel |
Arlon |
Arlon |
Aarlen |
| Tournai |
Tournai |
Doornik |
Yeper |
Ypres |
Ieper |
| Ghent |
Gand |
Gent |
Kortrijk |
Courtrai |
Kortrijk |
| Leuven |
Louvain |
Leuven |
Aalst |
Alost |
Aalst |
| Liege |
Liege |
Luik |
Tongeren |
Tongres |
Tongeren |
| Mechelen |
Malines |
Mechelen |
Wavre |
Wavre |
Waver |
| Mons |
Mons |
Bergen |
Soignies |
Soignies |
Zinnik |
| Ostend |
Ostende |
Oostende |
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| Useful Phrases |
| English |
French |
Dutch |
| Good morning |
bonjour |
goedemorgen |
| Good afternoon |
bonne apres-midi |
goedemiddag |
| Good evening |
bonsoir |
goeden avond |
| Excuse me |
excusez-moi |
sorry |
| Goodbye |
au revoir |
tot ziens |
| Please |
s'il vous plait |
alstublieft |
| Thank you |
merci |
dank u wel |
| Where is ...? |
ou est ...? |
waar is... ? |
| Yes |
oui |
ja |
| No |
non |
neen |
| How much ? |
combien ? |
hoeveel ? |
| My name is ... |
mon nom est ... |
mijn naam is .. |
| Maps & Distances |
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| Distances of Cities from Brussels |
Antwerp = 29 miles
Arlon = 116 miles
Bruges = 60 miles
Bastogne = 93 miles
Bouillon = 97 miles
Dinant = 58 miles
Ghent = 35 miles
Hasselt= 48 miles |
Leuven = 16 miles
Liege = 61 miles
Mechelen = 16 miles
Mons = 35 miles
Namur = 39 miles
Oostende = 71 miles
Spa = 86 miles
Tournai = 52 miles |
Amsterdam = 123 miles
Koln = 126 miles
London = 219 miles
Luxembourg = 134 miles
Paris = 184 miles |
| Selection of Belgian City-Center Maps |
Mappy.be
Maps & directions in Belgium. |
Belgian Maps for Purchase
Maps.com
Almudo.com |
Camping Map
Front
Back |
| Post Offices |
| Post Office Hours are M-F from 9:00am - 12:00pm and 2:00pm - 5:00pm. |
| Brussels Post Office (Avenue Fonsny Office at Brussels Midi Station) is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm Monday to Saturday and from 11:00am to 10:00pm Sundays all year long. |
| Stamp for standard postcard or letter from Belgium to the USA = Euro 0.80 (max 50gr). |
| Stamps may be purchased at news stands and souvenir shops. |
| Post boxes are red and marked "Poste". |
| Senior Citizens |
| Many museums, concert halls, theaters and other public and entertainment facilities (not movie theaters) offer reduced ticket rates. Some sightseeing tour companies offer senior discounts as well. Reduced rail rates are available on our transportation page. |
| Store hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00am - 6:00pm. Stores are closed on Sundays except in Brussels at the Gallerie St Hubert and gift shops near the Grand Place. |
| Antique and flea markets are generally open on Saturdays and Sundays. |
| Tax is always included in price. |
| Time Zone |
| Belgium is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard time. |
| If it's 2:00 p.m. here, what time is it in Brussels/Belgium? |
| Tipping & VAT |
| Service charges and VAT are always included in prices. If exceptional service is given tip at your discretion. Suggested tip for portage is 1 Euro per piece; for coatroom attendants 1.25 to 2.50 Euro per coat; for bathroom attendants 0.25 to 0.50 Euro. |
Tax Back International
For Meeting Planners: Get your VAT back for meetings in Belgium. |
Shop Tax Free
Global Refund is a world leader company specialized in VAT refunds. |
Global Refund
Tax refund available for a minimum purchase of 125.01 Euro per invoice for non European residents. You can also purchase goods from shops participating in the Europe Tax-free Shopping program - look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window. Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping check showing the refund you are owed. As you leave the country, customs officials will stamp your checks. You can claim your refund from the Europe Tax-free Shopping desk or have it sent on to you. |
| Traveling with Pets |
| A veterinarian certificate is required indicating rabies vaccination and health status. Certificates must be issued no less than 30 days or more than one year prior to entry. We also highly recommend that you check with your airline carrier for additional requirements. |
Traveling with Pets Official Regulations
Information from the Belgian Embassy website. |
Flying with Pets
Additional information. |
| Current Weather & Average Temperatures |
| Belgium is seldom too hot or too cold. Summer temperatures average 54 F (13 C) - 72 F (21 C) and winter averages from 32 F (0 C) - 43 F (6 C). |
| In Brussels |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Ave |
| Max in F |
39 |
45 |
50 |
57 |
64 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
59 |
48 |
43 |
57 |
| Max in C° |
4 |
7 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
23 |
22 |
21 |
15 |
9 |
6 |
14 |
| Min in F |
30 |
32 |
36 |
41 |
46 |
52 |
54 |
54 |
52 |
45 |
37 |
32 |
43 |
| Min in C° |
-1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
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